Greece VII 2024

Ramstein Flag

Greece VII 2024

NATO exercise Ramstein Flag at Andravida brought together a number of air forces for two weeks. We visited the second Spotters Day with a group.

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7 October 2024

Around 6:15 in the morning on 7 October 2024, the 12 travellers for the Ramstein Flag spottersday tour were ready at the well-known Meeting point at Schiphol Plaza. Check-in, baggage drop and the usual security all went smoothly. The flight to Athens was right on time. At the Athens airport we had to wait for 7 more participants who were travelling to Athens on their own. Picking up the rental cars went smoothly. After loading the baggage and dividing the group over the vehicles, we drove to Patras, where we would be staying for the next 2 nights. The keys were already ready at the hotel, so checking in went smoothly. After a word of welcome and an explanation of the timeline for Tuesday, everyone could take a moment to relax. In the evening, the local restaurant was tested and found to be okay, partly due to the Zaanse mayo that turned out to combine very well with souvlaki.

8 October 2024

This morning, Tuesday 8 October 2024, we were expected at the gate of Andravida around 9:30. The base was an hour’s drive from our hotel, but we parked the vans well in time and joined the line of aviation enthusiasts already present. Check-in went smoothly. The spotter passes were neatly sorted per country and everyone was quickly taken by bus to the familiar terrain under the control tower. Because the first RAFL mission of the day would not launch until after lunch, there was plenty of time to browse the stands with squadron memorabilia. As with previous events, the café was also open for coffee, something soft or a snack. As a warm-up, 1 Phantom flew a lap at the end of the morning.

Just after 13:00 the first planes were started up and indeed around 13:30 the ‘launch’ of the mission began with a number of F35s and Rafales. These were quickly followed by the other participants who took off per country. In about an hour all participating planes had taken off and there was some time before the recoveries started. From about 3 pm the participants started to arrive again at the sun-drenched Andravida. The mission and the flying activities were concluded by a beautiful pass of a Canadian CC-150 tanker. After that there was nothing else to do but to thank the Hellenic air force for their hospitality and the great day. Once back at our hotel we enjoyed culinary delights again including a drink (or more). With Zaanse mayo of course.

9 October 2024

Today, Wednesday 9 October 2024, was already the day of the return journey home. Because return flights were not until late afternoon or early evening, there was plenty of time to do something else. Two options were discussed: a visit to the air force museum in Tatoi or a morning in the low-flying area. The unanimous choice was to try our luck in the low-flying valley. So at 7:30 we checked out of the hotel and set course for the mountains of the Peloponnesus. When we arrived at ‘the’ location, it turned out that we were not the only ones, but there was plenty of room for everyone. And then the waiting began while enjoying the beautiful views.

Unfortunately, there were no aircraft movements this morning. But yes, that is the risk that comes with low flying. There’s no time-table nor guarantees. Around noon it was time to drive to Athens airport. We arrived at the airport on time and returning the rental cars went (reasonably) smoothly. At the airport we said goodbye to the travellers who had travelled to Greece on their own. Checking in for the return leg to A’dam as well as the flight itself was without any problems. At the baggage carousel in Schiphol we shook hands and said goodbye after a short but fruitful trip. Many thanks to the organisation of the Ramstein Flag’24 spotters day and the hospitality of the entire staff at Andravida.